ALMONDS

Almonds are a lovely food that are building to the ojas (vigor) in Ayurveda, they are heavy, oily, cold and sweet. They are great for pitta and vata but can be too heavy for kapha in large amounts. Our ancestors once feasted on nuts which provided strength for the body and building muscle mass. This ancestral food is one of the best ways to strengthen the body on all levels. Almonds contain the most protein out of any nut and nourish a deep, slow burning metabolic fire. Every nerve in our body is coated in fats, called the myelin sheath, that insulates, guides and protects the electric impulses of your neurons. Nourishing this fatty layer of the nervous system is key to calming the mind.

Almonds are rich in oils and fats that can build the nervous system. In order to bring balance to the body almonds should always be blanched to remove the skins, they contain high tannic acid, which can provoke pitta dosha and bring imbalances.

Blanching almonds is super easy and a meditative process. First buy organic whole almonds. Boil a pot of water and then add almonds to the boiling water. Boil for 1-2 minutes and remove from flame. Strain the almonds and begin to peel by pinching the butt of the almond and the nut will pop out of the skin. Spread the almonds out on a cloth and allow to dry. Once dry store in a glass jar in the fridge. Now you have almonds ready for blending into a nut milk or cooking with veggies.